Maryland Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Blog

As mentioned previously, when it comes to motorcycle accidents involving a second motor vehicle, it is quite common that the automobile or truck driver behind the wheel of the other vehicle may actually be the negligent party. This is due to the all-too-common problem of the smaller profile that motorcycles present in traffic. And to make matters worse, a motorcyclist is at least 20 times more likely to die in a traffic accident than an occupant of a passenger car.

While not always a valid excuse, the fact is that when a driver fails to recognize a nearby rider in traffic, the potential resulting accident can turn out to be very serious to the point of being life-threatening. After a bike crash, the needed medical treatment and potential rehab, which may also be required, can add up to extensive hospital bills. A rider who incurs such costs following an accident caused by another negligent driver should consult a qualified personal injury lawyer to better understand his or her options vis-à-vis recouping those medical costs from the responsible party or parties.

As Maryland personal injury attorneys, we have the skills and training to handle motorcycle-related accident cases, which we have already established can often be due to the negligence of another driver in a car- or truck-related accident. Furthermore, it’s a fair assumption that the majority of motorcycle riders are safety conscious despite the negative stereotypes typically portrayed on television and in the movies.

Continue reading "Baltimore Traffic Accident Update: How Maryland Personal Injury Lawyers can Help Motorcycle Accident Victims -- Part Two" »

Motorcyclists have a touch time of it, we know. While their mode of transport offers a wonderful feeling of freedom and ease of travel, the very nature of a motorcycle -- be it a so-called crotch rocket, standard bike, cruiser or chopper -- is that these motor vehicles are small and not easy to notice in traffic, at least this is the complaint of most drivers who get into accidents with bikers.

Add to their slim profile, most bikes are fairly fast and even quick to stop, putting less-than-inattentive drivers of four-wheeled passenger cars and 18-wheel commercial trucks in danger of running into them both coming and going. Insurance companies understand the dangers of motorcycles, to the point of making their policies less than attractive, or even placing certain motorcycle models on a list of “uninsurable” vehicles.

For anyone who hasn’t had a close call with a motorcyclist, as Maryland personal injury attorneys who represent bikers injured in traffic collisions, we can say that even the best drivers can be caught unaware by the “sudden” appearance of a bike in the roadway ahead of them. But it is conceivable that even police officers who have been trained in all manner of traffic safety, defensive driving and emergency situations, could from time to time be surprised by a motorcyclist.

Late last year, a news article described an accident between a biker and a marked police cruiser in the North Laurel, MD, area. According to news reports, a 43-year-old rider was sent to the hospital after a collision with a police car on Rte 216 near the Leishear Rd. intersection.

Continue reading "Baltimore Traffic Accident News: Maryland Biker Hospitalized following Crash with Howard County Police Cruiser" »

As far as motorcycling is concerned, there are numerous factors that conspire to challenge even the best of riders. Many times these “challenges” bring with them the prospect of injury or potential death due to the rather unforgiving nature of the pastime. Bikers must contend with dangers such as poor weather and road conditions, lack of visibility due to a motorcycle’s narrow vertical profile, and relative lack of protection bikes afford their riders.

Even the least significant bike crash can cause injuries such as cuts, bruises and dislocated joints. More severe motorcycle accidents -- those involving collisions with commercial delivery trucks or passenger cars -- can result in the biker sustaining broken bones, neck and spinal cord damage, and even traumatic brain injury. As personal injury lawyers serving the residents of Maryland and Washington, D.C., I and my colleagues are familiar with the range of bodily injury that can result from a bad traffic accident.

For most drivers of passenger cars, it is hard to imagine that motorcycle riders enjoy putting themselves in what is perceived by most of the motoring public as a constant state of peril. But understanding the drive and enthusiasm of the average motorcyclist, we can appreciate the draw that the open road has for this group of motorists.

Continue reading "Motorcycle Injury Accident News: Harley-Davidson Rider Killed in Crash with SUV in Cecil County" »

Although the driving public at large may feel differently, the sometimes common perception that motorcycle crashes are a result of aggressive driving on the part of the motorcyclist. Frankly, most bikers are actually rather good riders who enjoy their chosen mode of transportation very seriously; enjoying it both as a pastime and an economical way to get around cities like Frederick, Bowie, Hagerstown and the District.

The truth of the matter is that many of the serious and fatal traffic collisions involving cars, trucks and motorcycles occur because the other motorist -- be he or she a passenger car driver or commercial trucker -- quite simply fails to see or recognize the motorcycle and its rider until it is too late. Many roadway accidents happen because the rider-bike combination presents a much smaller and less familiar profile than what drivers of four-wheelers tend to expect. It’s a matter of conditioning; and most car, truck and SUV drivers have little impetus to watch out for bikers; that is until it’s too late.

Not seeing a biker can be as simple a situation as the rider and his machine being eclipsed by another larger vehicle -- basically out of sight from oncoming passenger car drivers. This can be a very dangerous situation, especially at intersections or busy shopping mall entrances. Weather can play a part as well; as do nighttime conditions. But these only increase the chances that a motorist, who may not be concentrating, might hit a biker. Drivers who don’t expect a motorcycle to be approaching, or who are impatient when attempting to make a left turn or pass another motor vehicle, are more likely to miss seeing a bike until it's too late.

As Maryland personal injury attorneys and auto accident lawyers, I and my staff know that many motorcycle injury accidents could possibly be prevented if only passenger car and commercial truck drivers would take that little bit of extra effort to double-check for a biker in the area before executing a maneuver. Just this simple attempt to confirm is a bike is coming up could transform a potentially deadly turning or merging operation into what it should be: a routine and ordinary event with no victim.

Continue reading "Montgomery County Motorcycle Accident News: Maryland Driver Charged in Fatal Hit-and-Run Scooter Crash" »

Lives lost as a result of senseless traffic accidents is a sad and tragic fact of life these days here in Maryland and Washington, D.C. Whether it’s a family losing a father or mother, or a wife’s loss of a husband to a commercial trucking wreck, there are no words that can console the victim’s loved ones. Any loss of life can be devastating to the relatives and friends of person killed in a fatal roadway collision.

Communities also suffer from the deadly results of a thoughtless driver’s negligent actions. While police officers and firefighters face the danger of personal injury and possible death every working day of their lives, it is a shame that numerous public servants are killed while off duty every year. Again, with most car, truck and motorcycle collisions being preventable, on the whole, these victims are stolen from their families and communities long before their time.

As Baltimore motorcycle accident lawyers and Washington, D.C., personal injury attorneys, I and my staff feel for the families of any person injured or killed in a traffic mishap. And even though many bikers understand the dangers inherent in their sport or chosen mode of transportation, when a crash does occur, it’s never a comfort to say they knew the risks.

But if one operates a cycle long enough, chances are you will become involved in an accident or have a brush with death or injury as a result of a close call. Whether one’s chosen ride is a sport bike, hog, cruiser or dirt bike, the lure of the open road and the freedom that a motorcycle represents is irresistible to many. Whether you live or ride to work in densely-packed metropolitan areas such as Annapolis, Rockville or Gaithersburg; or if you enjoy the relatively open rural roads, every biker understands the dangers posed by this sport.

In fact, it makes no real difference if one rides a Honda, Suzuki, Harley or Yamaha, motorcycling as a pastime is right up there with other rather risky hobbies. Any high-risk activity requires a modicum of caution, but to survive on a bike one needs to apply a balance of pleasure and the potential danger for physical harm.

Accidents do happen. And for motorcyclists the results can be serious, or even fatal. Just one severe injury accident can land a biker in the hospital for day, weeks, and even months or years. (Closed-head trauma is a typical injury most commonly associated with motorcycle accidents.) Even those individuals who choose to wear protective gear, including a helmet, can still suffer from paralysis, cognitive problems and even death.

Continue reading "Baltimore Personal Injury News: Harford County Motorcycle Wreck on Rte 1 Kills Towson, MD, Firefighter" »

The odds of being killed in a car, motorcycle or commercial trucking accident are somewhat less than those of being severely injured as a result of another driver’s negligence, but the risk still remains. As motorcycle riders know too well, injury or death are just part of the landscape when operating a cycle. In fact, thousands of people die in traffic accidents every year across this nation; in this regard, residents of Rockville, Gaithersburg and Washington, D.C., are no strangers to fatal motor vehicle wrecks.

Although being injured or killed in a multi-vehicle collision is not unusual, there are situations where a cyclist is at greater risk, sometimes without knowing it. Drunk driving is one of the many contributing factors to motorcycle injury accidents. As Maryland personal injury lawyers, we have seen the results of fatal highway wrecks that have ultimately led to a wrongful death lawsuit on the victim’s behalf.

Alcohol consumption and motor vehicle operation is a dangerous mix. As Maryland and Washington, D.C., auto injury attorneys, I and my staff have seen many people who have been hurt as a direct result of a drunk driver. These instances of serious or fatal car accidents caused by drunken driving continue to occur despite state laws designed to reduce and eliminate the problem.

Anyone who has ever lost a family member or loved one through the senseless act of drunk driving knows the heartache associated with these mostly preventable accidents. Victims’ families not only experience a huge emotional loss, but they can be affected financially as well, especially if the victim was a family breadwinner. While nothing can make a family whole again following a fatal car or motorcycle accident, recuperating medical costs and lost wages may help the surviving family members make it through one of the darkest periods of their lives.

Not long ago, a Parkton, MD, resident was killed while riding his bike along a stretch of York Rd. Sadly, this crash may have been avoided since news reports indicate that the driver of the vehicle which hit the rider may have been drunk at the time of the crash.

Continue reading "Maryland Traffic Accident Injury News: Baltimore County Rider Killed in Fatal Drunken-driving Roadway Collision" »

Doing the right thing doesn’t always mean that you will avoid serious problems in your life. Motorcycle riders, like many people who engage in risky sports or hobbies understand that a traffic accident may be just moments away or around the next bend; or even waiting for them at the next busy intersection. As Maryland auto accident lawyers and personal injury attorneys, I and my staff know how serious a bike accident can be when a motorcycle is struck by a car or commercial truck; the rider is almost always the one to suffer.

Whether one rides a Harley-Davidson, Honda or Yamaha here in Baltimore or in Rockville, Gaithersburg or the District, the chances of a serious or fatal biking accident are always there. While experience and time on the road may help some riders to anticipate a crash situation or avoid areas that present excessive risk for motorcycle, scooter, or moped, fate itself can be a harsh mistress.

And the aftermath can sometimes be worse than the original roadway collision that sends the victim to the hospital in the first place. Medical treatment, physical therapy and weeks or months of recovery time can drain a family’s resources. Taking the victim out of the workforce for an extended period can result in lost wages, which are only compounded by extensive medical bills and hospital costs.

Continue reading "Maryland Motorcycle Rider Critically Hurt with Life-threatening Injuries in Anne Arundel County" »

Ask most any dedicated motorcycle rider about how he or she approaches riding alongside any larger motor vehicle and at some point you will likely hear the statement, “I ride as if I’m invisible to other drivers.” This may seem like a strange thing to say, since the common assumption is that many bikers are looking for attention. The sad fact is, attention is not what they get; not at least from passenger car and commercial truck drivers.

Being seen is one of the most important factors in avoiding a traffic accident on Maryland’s roadways. And, yet, motorists involved in both fatal and injury-related accidents with motorcycle riders frequently tell police that they never saw the bike or the rider until after the actual collision. As Baltimore automobile accident lawyers, we know this happens every day across the country.

This isn’t very surprising, especially when one considers the relatively thin profile that a motorcyclist presents to other drivers on the road. Quite literally a motorcycle gets lost against all of the background information that a driver must process every second while traveling down the road. This is why the “invisible” statement is so true. Ride as if you were invisible and you may live to see another day.

Being invisible is bad enough on a high-speed expressway, but it’s nothing compared to riding on a city street or a two-lane country road. At times like these, not being seen can be deadly for motorcyclists, and bicycle riders as well. This is why the best riders work hard to manage the multiple and changing threats encountered along their ride. Risk management is something that every rider needs to master.

Continue reading "Baltimore Motorcycle Accident News: Maryland Rider Dies from Injuries Sustained in Frederick County Bike Crash" »

Now that the motorcycle riding season has more or less begun, it’s important to remind all riders out there to be extremely cautious when venturing out amongst those larger and more massive motor vehicles on our roadways. No matter what kind of cycle you ride – Suzuki or Harley, Yamaha or Kawasaki, cruiser or sport bike -- your ride is almost always going to lose a fight with even a small passenger car, much less a larger sport utility vehicle or commercial delivery truck.

As Maryland personal injury attorneys who represent motorcycle riders injured in traffic collisions as a result of another person’s negligence, we have the experience and know-how to help victims of serious injury accidents. Having a qualified motorcycle accident lawyer by your side is extremely important since car-bike wrecks usually lead to extensive physical injuries and expensive medical treatment. Post-accident, recovery from a bad crash can take months or even years of physical therapy and additional surgeries.

According to a news article not long ago, a motorcycle rider was killed when he collided with a large SUV along a stretch of Rte1 in Jessup, MD. Based on police reports, 63-year-old Douglas Gorenflo died as a result of the crash, which occurred on a Wednesday afternoon near the intersection of Montevideo Rd. Gorenflo, an Elkridge resident, was heading north on his Honda Shadow around 1:35pm when the accident happened.

Police reports indicate that the SUV, a 2008 GMC Envoy, which was traveling south along Route 1, apparently turned left toward Montevideo Rd, crossing directly into the path of the oncoming bike. News articles stated that Gorenflo’s bike struck the SUV’s right-rear door. Initial reports from the police showed that the GMC’s driver likely failed to yield the right of way to the man’s motorcycle.

Following the crash, Gorenflo was transported to Howard County General Hospital in Columbia, MD, where he was reportedly pronounced dead. The driver and passenger in the sport utility vehicle -- 43-year-old Jennifer Sizemore and 21-year-old Heather Krieger, were reportedly not injured in the crash.

Man Dies Following Crash Between His Motorcycle, Another Vehicle on Route 1 in Jessup, Patch.com, February 16, 2011

A resident of Carroll County, MD, recently pled guilty in a Howard County court room to the fatal drunk driving-related motorcycle-car collision that killed a 68-year-old woman who had been riding on the back of her husband’s bike. The accident took place on Rte 40 when now 23-year-old Alison Walsh, 23, reportedly drove her Honda Civic into the back of the cycle being driven by a 74-year-old man, Antonio Amato, and his wife, Cecilia.

According to news reports, Amato told police that the couple’s motorcycle was stopped at a red signal along a stretch of Rte 40 at the intersection of Marriottsville Rd at the time of the crash. Amato stated that his bike was sitting approximately 15ft from the intersection when they were hit from behind by Walsh’s car.

As a Baltimore motorcycle accident lawyer and Maryland personal injury attorney, I know that this kind of accident can cause severe injuries and sometimes death. In this particular case, the man’s wife was riding on the back of the bike and was thrown off as a result of the impact. Even with the use of a helmet, brain trauma and spinal damage can result from this type of traffic accident.

Based on news reports, the force of the crash caused Mrs. Amato to land on the hood of Walsh’s vehicle and then onto the roadway. Mr. Amato was also thrown to the ground, but apparently suffered non-life-threatening injuries. Walsh, who was not injured in the crash was arrested by police and charged with drunken driving after she registered a 0.17 percent blood-alcohol content.

Police reports indicate that Cecilia Amato was conscious when emergency responders transported her to Maryland Shock Trauma Center. As a result of the collision, the woman suffered a number of fractured ribs and severe internal bleeding -- she died not long after as a result of blood loss and cardiopulmonary arrest, according to news articles.

Based on court records, the Howard County prosecutor’s office is pushing for a five-year prison sentence for Walsh in connection with the fatal 2010 crash, though a previous run-in with the police may not help her situation. In that instance, she was reportedly arrested in 2008 by Carroll County police who charged her with attempting to drive under the influence of alcohol as well as negligent driving. At that time, the Hampstead, MD, resident pleaded not guilty and received probation before judgment.

Carroll County woman pleads guilty to negligent manslaughter, BaltimoreSun.com, February 11, 2011

Sometimes it seems like things can’t get any worse following a severe traffic accident. But whether it’s a car, motorcycle or trucking-related crash, there are instances where things can and do get worse some time down the road; occasionally months or years after the initial car or bike collision is but a hazy, yet painful memory.

As a Baltimore motorcycle injury lawyer, I and my colleagues understand how injuries sustained following a tragic traffic wreck can continue to trouble an individual both medically and financially all thought his or her lifetime. Such can be the case with injuries that affect the brain and spinal column.

Especially in cases involving traumatic brain injury (TBI), a person can suffer ill effects for years following a motorcycle or car crash. There are few maladies worse than those caused by a closed head injury. The complete or partial lose of motor function, speech problems and permanent memory loss, just to name a few, can each be a life altering affect of a single traffic accident.

Traumatic brain injury has also been known to alter an individual’s personality and even basic behavior and moral compass, according to some experts. Not long ago an article appeared discussing how one 38-year-old victim of TBI became entangled in his local criminal justice system following his injuries.

In this case, the man already had mental health issues as a young adult, with occasional marijuana use and weekend drinking. The article goes on to explain that he experimented with cocaine and amphetamines, yet never used them habitually. However, when he was 26 years old he was involved in a low-speed motorcycle accident. The crash reportedly left him briefly unconscious for about an hour.

Once he regained consciousness, there didn’t seem to be any obvious problems save for a broken arm. But over the next few years, the man began to exhibit more risky behavior, which involved an increased use of drugs and speeding on his motorcycle. At 29, while working for a construction company, the man reportedly fell three stories and sustained a much more severe TBI.

Continue reading "Maryland Injury Accident Update: Motorcycle, Bicycle-related Head Injuries can Lead to Serious Problems Later On" »

Following a car-scooter crash that injured Maryland football player Pete DeSouza on the University of Maryland campus, some people are asking whether the increase in scooter use on college campuses could lead to an increase in injury accidents among university students. As Baltimore motorcycle accident lawyers, we would also ask if the savings in time getting from one side of school to other is worth the added risk to life and limb.

According to news reports, DeSouza suffered severe injuries as a result of a traffic accident last fall caused when a passenger car turned directly in front of the 310-pound offensive lineman's scooter. Based on reports, DeSouza was headed back from study hall on the evening of October when the crash occurred, resulting in the man receiving two broken legs, which required numerous surgeries that will likely lay him up for six months or more.

It appears that DeSouza could have suffered other, more severe injuries to his head or brain had the backpack he was wearing not protected his head from direct impact with the pavement after he was thrown from the scooter that evening. Following the accident, the University Senate began debate on whether or not scooter riders be required to wear helmets when traveling on campus -- right now, helmets are not required for those who rider scooters on public roads.

Crashes like DeSouza’s can result in tragic results. Serious spinal damage as well as traumatic brain injury are relatively common in scooter, bicycle and motorcycle traffic accidents. Because most other motor vehicle are larger and heavier than a tiny scooter, it is not uncommon to see a rider killed during a severe car crash.

The argument for using scooters would seem to have many supporters, at least on the University of Maryland campus, which occupies more than 1,200 acres. For a student like DeSousa, a cross-campus walk takes about 15 or 20 minutes; taking a scooter cuts that transit time down to about six minutes. As many have said, for those students who already have tight schedules and extra 15 minutes here or there would be welcome for any number of tasks, like study, eating or catching up on notes with other classmates.

Efficiency and economy are big draws, but the “cool” factor is another significant appeal of these small-displacement motor scooters. With some scooters selling at around $600 for a base model, college administrators around the country claim that these cheap modes of transport are now popping up like weeds on campuses all over.

Maryland football player Pete DeSouza's scooter accident raises safety concerns on college campuses, WashingtonPost.com, November 5, 2010

Looking forward, and at this point we’d say rather far forward, to spring and the new riding season, motorcyclists will at some point be getting back on the road. When that time comes, there will likely be some more intrepid riders heading out early. Whether you ride a Yamaha, Harley, Honda or Suzuki, when the next clear and warm riding day arrives bikes will start to make their appearance all across the state.

As a Maryland personal injury lawyer and motorcycle accident attorney, I know that as the snows melt and the roads dry out, motorists will start to encounter bikes on the street again. There is a danger during those early weeks, however, for riders and their passengers. It’s a good guess that passenger car and commercial truck drivers will need to acclimate to motorcycles being out on the roadways.

Especially for those die-hard bikers who venture out early in the season, it’s good to be aware that four-wheelers aren’t expecting these smaller and faster bikes being in traffic again. Use caution during those early weeks, when riders are fewer in number. The question we need to ask ourselves is whether or not motorcycle-car accidents may increase as riders begin to hit the road, due in part because car, minivan, SUV and semi drivers have become less conscious of motorcycles during a long and nasty winter season.

Automobile-motorcycle and truck-bike crashes can be some of the most deadly traffic collisions that police and emergency responders see on a weekly basis here in Maryland. As such, every rider should be careful not to assume that motor vehicle operators see them or are even aware that they are in the area. As they say, better to ride as if you are invisible rathter than assume a driver sees you and your bike.

When the season starts up in Baltimore, Annapolice, the District or Rockville, it will be safe to say that there will be fewer motorcycle riders out and about than in the summer and early fall months. That doesn’t mean that your chances of a bike accident are low, since Maryland drivers may not be looking for those early season riders. On a percentage basis, our guess is that the rate is higher early on, so please keep this in mind as you clear out those cobwebs and get that iron horse, crotch rocket or cruiser back on the road.

I and my colleagues are all concerned for the safety of all cycle jockeys. But if something does happen and a rider finds him or herself injured as a result of another person’s negligence, be sure to consult with an experienced motorcycle accident attorney to understand the options and next steps. And, by all means, keep the rubber on the road and shiny side up.

It’s a tragedy when anyone is killed in a senseless Maryland traffic accident, but to lose a loved one as a result of a fatal hit-and-run crash, that is a double blow to a family that is already reeling from the loss. As a Maryland automobile injury lawyer, I have represented victims of car, bike and commercial trucking accidents over the years. One thing that never seems to change is the sadness of families of people killed in by negligent drivers.

When a motorist is found to have operated his or her vehicle in a negligent manner that results a catastrophic traffic accident, that person should be held liable for the injury or wrongful death of the victim or victims. In some cases, the state will want its pound of flesh too, meaning the defendant could also wind up spending time in jail. Whatever the circumstances, it doesn’t change the fact that careless or reckless acts committed by another individual, whether a passenger car driver or professional truck driver, can have long lasting effects on the victim and his or her family.

A little while back, a man was killed in a hit-and-run accident here in Baltimore. At the time of the news report, police were still looking for the suspect, who was reportedly driving a black Mercedes-Benz at the time of the crash. These kinds of accidents can be hard to solve, but the fact that the driver fled the scene may indicate the potential for negligence on his or her part.

According to reports, Baltimore City police responded to a reported hit-and-run car-motorcycle collision during a Saturday evening along the 5200 block of Erdman Avenue. An eye witness to the crash, Laura Price, said that a black Mercedes hit 25-year-old Gerard Grant's motorcycle. According to Price, there was an audible “pop” after which the woman saw Grant and his bike flying through the air. Based on reports, the bike flipped three times before coming to a stop.

Following the collision, nearby residents came to the man’s aid, performing CPR prior to the arrival of emergency personnel. After EMS arrived, Grant was taken to Bayview Hospital for medical treatment however he died not long after as a result of his apparently extensive injuries.

At the time of the article, police were looking for a black Mercedes with significant damage to the driver's side and which also was missing its mirror. There was no specific indication of road rage, according to police.

Motorcyclist killed in hit-and-run accident in Baltimore, ABC2news.com, September 12, 2010

While winter may be here to stay for some time, it’s important to remember that motorcycle accidents can and do happen at the most unlikely times and for sometimes unexpected reasons. As a Baltimore auto accident attorney and motorcycle injury lawyer, I’ve seen enough news articles and police accident reports to know that bikers are at high risk for injury and death when traveling on our public roads.

Especially during the off-season for riders, fewer passenger car and commercial truck drivers are looking for motorcycles in the colder months. Riders already know they are relatively invisible and therefore more apt to be hit by another, larger motor vehicle. The results, of course, can be tragic.

It wasn’t long that a motorcyclist from Anne Arundel County died in a multi-car accident on Solley Road when a deer apparently bolted out into the street. According to police, the accident happened late on a Saturday night when 34-year-old John Fabian III and a passenger where riding on the man’s ‘96 Honda Shadow near Nabbs Creek Road.

Just before midnight, Fabian was traveling behind a ‘08 Honda Civic when a deer appeared in the roadway right in front of a ‘95 Ford Contour. The driver of the Ford hit his brakes in order to avoid the deer, according to police reports. As a result, the Honda Honda’s driver also slammed on his brakes, Fabian apparently did not brake in time. The motorcycle rammed into the rear of the Honda, throwing the rider and his passenger off the bike.

County police and firefighters responded to the scene, where Fabian was pronounced dead. The passenger, 29-year-old Miranda Means from Baltimore, was taken to the Maryland Shock Trauma Center in Baltimore with serious injuries. According to police, alcohol may have contributed to the accident.

Motorcyclist dies in chain reaction crash, HometownAnnapolis.com, October 3, 2010

Without a doubt, motorcycle riding gives its fans a wonderful experience of freedom and adventure. There is little in the way of affordable fun that provides that same level of joy and excitement on the open road. But as a Maryland motorcycle accident attorney, I know the downside to all that fun and adventure. Sadly, when a rider is involved in a highway accident, especially at cruising speeds or involving a large commercial truck, the result can be nothing less than tragic.

While riding provides an unparalleled traveling experience, the pleasure of a two-wheel excursion must always be balanced against the dangers inherent with the sport. Not long ago a news article point out that fact in no uncertain terms.

According to the article, a woman was killed when the bike she and her husband were traveling on went out of control and crashed in Baltimore County. Based on police reports, the accident occurred on Putty Hill Avenue just after 12:30am in mid-July.

The early morning accident reportedly happened because the driver lost control of the bike and it skidded into an oncoming vehicle. According to reports, as the biker lost control of his 2005 Harley Davidson, the motorcycle skidded onto its right side and slid across the center line of the roadway, crashing into the left-hand front tire of a 2001 Chevy Tahoe.

The passenger, Kimberly Jean Bortell, was ejected from the bike and struck the bodywork of the SUV, killing her instantly according to Baltimore County Police. Bortell’s husban, Charles Joseph Bortell, was only injured in the crash. After emergency responders arrived they treated the man and then transported him to Bayview Hospital for additional medical attention.

No mention was made whether or not the accident was a result of driver error or defective equipment, such as a worn tire that may have lost pressure. At the time of the article, police were still investigating the crash.

Woman killed in motorcycle accident on Putty Hill Avenue, ABC2News.com, July 18, 2010

A 47-year-old motorcyclist and his passenger were injured on a Saturday afternoon when the bike they were riding on collided with a passenger car along a section of Maryland 63 just west of Hagerstown, MD. Being a Baltimore motorcycle accident lawyer for many years, this is a distressingly typical scenario experienced by many bikers at least once during their lifetime.

This traffic accident, which also involved a passenger vehicle, is only one of dozens reported every year in Maryland. In this particular case, the wreck was bad enough that it left the driver of the bike in critical condition at a local hospital.

According to police reports, two Carroll County residents were enjoying a Saturday afternoon ride outside of Hagerstown when a 2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo tried to cross the roadway eastbound along Broadfording Road. In the process of crossing Md. 63 the Chevy apparently pulled right into the path of the oncoming motorcycle.

The bike carrying Michael Destefano and his girlfriend, 45-year-old Christine Biddinger, struck the left side of the Monte Carlo, throwing the motorcycle’s driver and passenger off the bike onto the roadway shortly before 3pm. Police put some of the blame on a large tree located at that intersection, which apparently obstructs the view from both roads.

Officers from the Washington County Sheriff’s Office responded along with other emergency responders. Destefano, a New Windsor resident, was reportedly flown to the University of Maryland R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center where he was listed in critical condition Sunday the next day. Biddinger was taken to Washington County Hospital with a variety of injuries including a broken arm, chest injuries and a collapsed lung. Biddinger was listed in fair condition the day following the accident.

According to the news article, the driver of the Chevy 20-year-old Morgan Fahey of Hagerstown, refused treatment. There was no information at the time of the news article whether or not charges would be pressed against the car’s driver. The area was reportedly closed to traffic for several hours as a reconstruction team attempted to piece together the crash.

Carroll County man in critical condition after motorcycle accident, Herald-Mail.com, June 12, 2010

As a personal injury attorney, my job is to represent victims of accidents precipitated by the negligent actions of other individuals. Motorcycle riders may be one of the most common groups of motorists injured on the road, especially during the spring and summer months.

Unfortunately, traffic accidents involving bikes, such as Harley-Davidsons, Suzukis, Triumphs and Hondas, are usually severe and cause extensive bodily injury to the riders. More often than not, a crash with a passenger car or commercial truck can result in death. Helmets make a big difference, but in this life there are no guarantees.

The tragic part of the story is that many injuries and fatal crashes experienced by the motorcycling community could be avoided if other motorists took the added effort to check for two-wheelers sharing the road. As a Maryland motorcycle accident lawyer, I’ve seen enough horrendous accident scenes to last a lifetime. But I never tire of offering help to victims and their families following these kinds of terrible and sometimes life-altering collisions.

A little while ago we came across a news item that illustrates one of the worst-case scenarios facing motorcyclist on our public roads. According to reports, a 46-year-old Charles Thompson III of Hagerstown died while riding his bike along U.S. 40 in Frederick County. The accident happened just before 8pm when another motorist was attempting to enter the roadway in a 2001 VW Jetta.

According to police, 19-year-old Zachary Gunther, a resident of Myersville, was attempting to enter the eastbound lane of U.S. 40 off of Pleasant Walk Road and apparently pulled right in front of Thompson’s motorcycle. In the process the rider was thrown from his bike onto the roadway.

Emergency crews arriving on the scene administered first aid and then transported the severely injured man by helicopter to R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center in Baltimore. Unfortunately, Thompson’s injuries were too extensive and he died a short time later at the hospital.

Police issued the Jetta’s driver with a traffic citation for failure to yield the intersection right of way. At the time of the news article, local police were expected to approach the Frederick County state’s attorney’s office to discuss whether additional charges should be brought against Gunther.

Hagerstown motorcyclist dies following crash in Frederick County, Herald-Mail.com, May 7, 2010

Having assisted numerous motorcycle riders following life-threatening bike-automobile accidents, I have seen the carnage that can be inflicted on a motorcyclist during a serious crash. It goes without saying that bikers and other riders of two-wheel motor vehicles have less protection against a severe traffic wreck than people in four-wheeled vehicles, and zero when compared to semi truck drivers in their big rigs. But most motorcycle riders know this and understand the risks.

Some highway collisions cannot be survived. At the very least, massive head and back injuries are common, even at low speeds, which can lead to permanent paralysis and a lifetime of medical care. Rehabilitation following such accidents can help, but is also expensive and can crush a family’s savings in a very short time. If the victim was the major income earner for the family the effects of a debilitating bike wreck are only magnified.

Not long ago a young rider from Broomes Island was killed when a pickup truck apparently pulled into the road directly in front of the man’s motorcycle. According to reports, the accident occurred just after 6pm along Broomes Island Road near Island Creek Lane in Calvert County.

Based on police reports, 21-year-old John Alton Stratchko riding his 2003 Yamaha YZF R6, traveling southbound along Broomes Island Road. As he approached the entrance of a private, a 2002 GMC pickup apparently began to enter the roadway right in the path of Strachko’s motorcycle. The bike struck the driver’s side of the truck, which was being driven by another local resident, 53-year-old Martin Wayne Mister.

It appears from the police report that Stratchko may have tried to lay his bike down before colliding with the pickup. The reports indicated that the man was ejected off the bike with his body hitting the driver’s door of the vehicle. The motorcycle itself came to rest on top of Stratchko’s body. Emergency responders transported the man to Calvert Memorial Hospital where he was pronounced dead from his extensive injuries.

At the time of the news article, a cause of death and nature of the injuries sustained by Stratchko were pending an autopsy, which was scheduled to be performed by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (OCME) in Baltimore, Maryland. The Calvert County Sheriff’s Office Crash Reconstruction Team was also involved in determining the events of that evening that led to the death of the untimely death of this motorcycle rider.

Calvert Man Killed in Street Bike Accident, TheBayNet.com, May 4, 2010

Few can deny that motorcycles have their appeal. On one hand they offer a feeling of freedom. On the other hand, they certainly can be dangerous. This is why some motorcycle owners describe riding a bike as an exercise in risk management. One of the biggest risks for bikers here in Maryland — regardless of whether they own a Honda, Kawasaki or Harley Davidson — is the potential for severe injury or even death as a result of a traffic accident.

As a Baltimore motorcycle accident lawyer, I’ve met many motorcyclists and they all share an undying passion for riding, for the open road. Each person deals with the inherent risks in his or her own way. Sadly, however, all bikers face some formidable dangers in the guise of passenger cars, family minivans and commercial trucks. From being side-swiped by a distracted driver to catching a thrown tread off a poorly maintained semi tractor-trailer, the prospect of receiving cuts, bruises, broken bones and road rash looks downright sunny next to the dead-end alternative a fatal high-speed crash with another, larger motor vehicle.

Not long ago, two riders died in separate accidents on the same Friday evening here in Maryland. One could say it was a fluke, but with the number of motorcycle enthusiasts on the road these days, a more cynical person would suggest it was simply inevitable. In each of these cases — one in Joppa, MD, and the other in Hanover — the accidents involved questionable riding behavior on the part of each rider. Both motorcycle accidents involved a collision with an automobile.

According to news reports, the accident in Joppa occurred around 7pm on Friday on Joppa Farm Road near Foster Knoll Road. Harford County Sheriff's deputies responded to an accident involving a 2009 Yamaha motorcycle and a 2010 Toyota Corolla. Apparently, 20-year-old Karl Michael Kunz had been traveling north passing vehicles at high rates of speed in a no passing zone when he struck a Toyota Corolla which had started to cross Joppa Farm Road westbound from Foster Knoll Road.

Police reports show that Kunz was ejected from the bike after striking the Toyota’s driver-side door. The Toyota ended up striking a tree and nearby street sign before coming to a stop. Police reports showed that Kunz was taken to Upper Chesapeake Medical Center where he was pronounced dead.

The second crash involved a 2004 Suzuki GSX R 600 that ran a red light and hit a 1992 Nissan 300 ZX. Police reports indicated that 25-year-old Gustin Samuel Page was heading westbound on his Suzuki along Dorsey Road at about 6pm when a the Nissan made a left turn from Candlewood Road onto eastbound Dorsey Road. Page apparently couldn't slow down for the red light, causing him to hit the passenger car on the left-hand side.

Page was taken to Baltimore Washington Medical Center where he was pronounced dead. The Nissan’s driver, Norman Walter Faber Jr., 52, of Churchton, also was taken to BWMC with injuries that were not life-threatening. Witnesses told police Page was driving recklessly and speeding before the crash, including riding on the rear wheel of the motorcycle.

Motorcyclist Killed In Joppa, WJZ.com, April 27, 2010

Man Killed In Motorcycle Accident In Hanover, WJZ.com, April 27, 2010

Summer is fast upon us. Motorcycle riders have already been flooding the city streets and roadways across Maryland. But as any good rider knows, motorcycle-automobile accidents can be unforgiving on bikers and their passengers. Many motorcycle and car accidents become very tragic because a motorcyclist has little protection against the mass of a car, SUV or pickup truck.

Where a driver of a car or truck is relatively protected in the case of a crash, a motorcyclist and his or her passenger can receive the direct impact from another vehicle. Motorcycle occupants can also be thrown far from the scene of a bike wreck. As a result, motorcycle accidents have rather high injury rates that include broken bones and lacerations, neck and spine injuries, traumatic head injuries, and other permanent and non-permanent injuries.

Wearing a helmet is one of the best choices a motorcyclist can make to improve his chances of surviving a bad motorcycle crash. The proper helmets can reduce the incidence of fatal head injuries by a large percentage. The use of various protective outerwear and good footwear can also mean the difference between minor and serious injury, or even death.

Sadly, the Maryland legislature may adopt legislation that allows some riders to decide if they wish to wear a helmet or do without. According to the American Motorcycle Association (AMA), House Bill 1282 and Senate Bill 492 would provide exemptions to the motorcycle helmet law currently on the books in Maryland.

Authored respectively by Delegate Curt Anderson (D-Baltimore) and Senator John C. Astle (D-Annapolis), the new law would apply to operators or occupants of three-wheeled enclosed-cab motorcycles or operators of two-wheeled motorcycles who have been licensed for at least two years, or those who have completed a motorcycle rider safety course. An adult passenger riding on a two-wheeled motorcycle would also be able to choose whether or not he or she wishes to wear a helmet as long as the operator is exempted under the law.

Our experience as Baltimore motorcycle accident attorneys tells us that whenever helmets are not worn, injuries can be more serious. It’s a fact that no matter how well you prepare, there is always a chance that you could be involved in an accident on your bike. It makes no difference whether the cause is driver error, another driver’s negligence, excessive speed, or alcohol or substance use, an accident is an accident; outfitting oneself with a helmet is cheap insurance and better protection than none.

AMA News & Notes: May 2010, ama-cycle.org, April 9, 2010

Where there’s one there is usually another, or so the saying goes. As more than one motorcycle rider has commented, seeing one deer or other large animal by the side of the road means at least another may be close by. This kind of thinking has saved many a biker from a serious motorcycle crash due to wildlife in the roadway. Of course, safety should always be the primary concern of any rider who takes his riding seriously.

Even so, traffic accidents like car-bike crashes can and do happen. For owners of Yamahas, Ducatis, Harley-Davidsons and Buells, avoiding a traffic accident is a full-time job when operating a motorcycle on public roads. Heavy traffic and rush hour congestion only increases the risk to bikers of every kind.

Not too long ago, a couple unrelated traffic accidents sent two riders to the hospital on the same day. Based on news reports at the time, one of the motorcyclists was involved in a single-vehicle crash in Pasadena, while the other hit a large sport utility vehicle in Glen Burnie.

According to police reports, emergency responders were called to the scene of the first accident at Mountain and Hickory Point roads in Pasadena just before 2pm on a Sunday afternoon. The police call indicated that a 72-year-old rider had hit a pothole and apparently lost control of his bike. Paramedics arriving at the accident scene treated the man and then transported him to the Maryland Shock Trauma Center in Baltimore. Based on news reports, the motorcycle rider had serious but not life-threatening injuries.

Later that evening, emergency personnel were alerted to a two-vehicle traffic accident in Glen Burnie around 8:40pm. The bike-SUV crash happened at Point Pleasant Road and Bell Avenue in Marley. The collision involved a Chevrolet Suburban and a Harley-Davidson, according to police reports.

The 48-year-old Harley rider was treated at the scene by Paramedics and then transported to the shock trauma center with serious injuries, according to a Glenn Burnie County Fire Department spokesperson.

Motorcycle crashes send 2 to hospital, HometownGlenBurnie.com, April 7, 2010

One fact that becomes quite clear, having represented numerous victims of motorcycle accidents, is that bikes offer next to no protection for their riders. It makes little difference whether you ride a Harley, Suzuki, Yamaha or Honda, larger vehicle including cars, SUVs, minivans and semi tractor-trailers can inflict serious injuries to a rider in the case of a crash. Deaths from car-bike wrecks and bike-truck accidents are also common.

It is because of this fact that riding a motorcycle leaves very little margin for error. The freedom of two-wheel travel on the open road must always be balanced by the dangers awaiting even the most careful biker. This is why, as a Maryland motorcycle accident lawyer, I am quick to remind anyone contemplating owning a chopper, cruiser, standard or so-called crotch-rocket, be careful and use every piece of safety equipment available to you.

One recent motorcycle crash points out the potential finality of any traffic accident. According to news reports, a 31-year-old rider died following a collision with a van on Route 301 in Waldorf, MD. The accident occurred late on a Saturday afternoon when Deven Rachar Blackshear hit the side of a 2005 Chrysler Town & Country that was pulling out of a parking lot onto the highway.

According to Maryland State Police, the man’s Ducati was traveling northbound on U.S. 301 near Route 5 just before 6pm when his motorcycle hit the minivan and went airborne. The rider and bike traveled a short distance and collided with a southbound Chevrolet HHR. Police claim that the speed of the 2009 Ducati played a part in the fatal accident.

As a result of the crash, Blackshear reportedly suffered from severe head trauma and a broken neck. He was transported by police medivac helicopter to R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center in Baltimore, but died not long after from his injuries.

The Town & Country driver, Abigail Jaye Nabors, 33, of Waldorf, and a 2-year-old child riding in the rear seat of the van were both flown to Children's National Medical Center in Washington, D.C., according to reports.

A 16-year-old who was driving the Chevrolet and a 46-year-old passenger reportedly did not receive any injuries.

Cycle accident kills driver, 31, SdMdNews.com, March 31, 2010

It is a fact that motorcycles offer less protection to their riders than cars or trucks do to their drivers and passengers. But while some people say bikes are too dangerous to ride on the street the choice to ride or not is a personal decision that every motorcyclist must make for him or herself.

As a Baltimore motorcycle injury attorney, I support an individual’s right to choose how they will live their life, even if the risks are more than some people can accept. So long as the state of Maryland allows bikers to rider their machines on the city streets and rural roads, they have the same rights and responsibilities as passenger car drivers and truck operators.

In my position, I often hear of fatal motorcycling accidents that would give most people pause. Recent news of a crash in Charles County is one such incident. According to Maryland State Police in La Plata, there was a traffic accident on Route 301 that resulted in the death of a rider and injury to two other motorists. At the time of the news article, police were still investigating the crash.

Based on reports the accident occurred sometime after 5pm in the afternoon when a white 2009 Ducati ridden by 31-year-old Deven Rachar Blackshear collided with a van and one other vehicle in Waldorf, MD. News articles said that Blackshear was traveling north on Route 301 near Route 5 when his motorcycle collided with a 2005 Chrysler Town & Country minivan that apparently pulled out out of a parking lot onto the path of the oncoming bike.

Upon hitting the Chrysler, the motorcycle and rider were apparently thrown into the oncoming path of a southbound Chevrolet HHR. Responding to the accident scene, rescue workers transferred the rider to a Maryland State Police helicopter for transport to Baltimore Shock Trauma for treatment of serious head trauma and a broken neck. The man was later pronounced dead as a result of those injuries.

The occupants of the Chrysler were also injured. Thirty-three-year-old Abigail Jaye Nabors, who was driving the Town & Country minivan received facial injuries, and a toddler, who was riding in the back seat of the van and whose injuries were unknown, were both flown to Children's Hospital in Washington D.C.

A 16-year-old driver and 46-year-old passenger in the HHR were unhurt in the accident and did not require any medical attention. According to Maryland State Police, speed does appear to be a contributing factor in this crash.

Motorcyclist Dies, Two Others Injured in Waldorf Crash, TheBayNet.com, March 23, 2010

Waldorf Man Dies in Three Vehicle Motorcycle Accident, SoMD.com, March 28, 2010

Motorcycle riders are particularly at risk when it comes to Maryland traffic accidents. Unlike bicycles, whose riders are similarly exposed, a biker’s machine is more powerful and much faster. Even when wearing leathers or other protective riding gear, being thrown from your Harley or Honda onto hard pavement at highway speeds can result in life-threatening injuries, sometimes a rider is even killed on the spot.

Motorists also have a hard time identifying motorcycles in traffic. Because of this, a smaller Suzuki or Yamaha two-wheeler can go unnoticed until it’s too late. As a Baltimore injury lawyer, I‘ve read too many time about motorists turning directly in front of a bike in broad daylight only to say they never saw the rider or his bike. That’s a scenario that many riders learn about first hand, and it only takes once to make that point clear.

A recent news reports indicated that a resident of Ann Arundel County pleaded guilty to a charge of negligent homicide in the drunk driving-related traffic accident that killed a Glen Burnie motorcycle rider last summer. The accident happened on Baltimore Annapolis Boulevard last August when a 2004 Acura driven Alida Roxana Holyoke, 27, apparently turned in front of a motorcycle rider causing him to crash, the woman then left the scene of the accident.

Police investigators piecing together the accident scene determined that the rider, William "Shawn" Jacobs, had the right of way when Holyoke turned. The man’s 2008 Harley Davidson hit the side of Holyoke’s car causing the man to be thrown off the bike.

Paramedics responded quickly to the car-motorcycle accident, treating the rider, who investigators discovered had also been drinking that night, then transporting him to the Maryland Shock Trauma Center in Baltimore. He never made it to the hospital, suffering a cardiac arrest on the way. He was pronounced dead just after 3am.

A witness to the accident followed the woman, who drove to a local gas station where police eventually caught up to her and took her into custody. At the police station Holyoke’s blood-alcohol content (BAC) was measured at 0.19 percent, more than double the legal limit for driving. At sentencing she could face up to 15 years in jail and a $15,000 fine -- however, state guidelines call for probation to two years in prison.

Woman pleads guilty in fatal crash, HometownAnnapolis.com, March 26, 2010

A motorist from Fairplay, MD, was ordered to pay $140 as a fine stemming from a 2009 accident that seriously injured an 8-year-old boy riding his bicycle. The fine, which was for negligent driving, was levied against Meghann Marie Weaver, 21, by the Washington County District Court. The accident occurred on August 27 along a stretch of Jordan Road. As a Maryland personal injury attorney, I have seen numerous reports of car-bicycle accident during my career -- those that involve children can be the most tragic.

In this case, while the child was not killed in the accident, one of the young rider’s legs had to amputated at mid-shin. According to reports, he has been undergoing rehabilitation at the Kennedy-Krieger Institute in Baltimore. Unfortunately, this youngster will carry with him a life-long disability as a result of another person’s negligent behavior.

According to court records, other charges of reckless driving and driving a vehicle in excess of reasonable and prudent speed on a highway were dropped by the prosecutor’s office. Based on the police investigation, alcohol was not a factor in the accident.

News reports, show that there was no indication that drugs or alcohol were involved in the accident, which ruled out a reckless driving charge according to the Deputy State’s Attorney Steve Kessell. That left only speed as a factor, he said.

The boy who was hurt in the accident, David Greeley, suffered compound fractures to both legs and a head injury when he was struck by Weaver’s Pontiac Grand Am around 7pm on that day. Weaver was cresting a hill when she struck the boy on his bicycle. Young Greeley is a third-grader at Fountain Rock Elementary School, not far from where the accident occurred.

Woman pays fine in crash injuring 8-year-old, Herald-Mail.com January 6, 2010

A word to the wise: It doesn’t matter how good a cycle rider you are, motorcycle accidents can happen to the best riders. Tragically, motorcycle accidents can be very unforgiving to many motorcyclists. As motorcycle accident attorneys, I and my colleagues understand how sudden a fatal traffic accident can occur; many motorcycle-car accidents can spell danger to bike riders. Just recently, a veteran police officer and avid motorcyclist lost his life while riding to work.

According to news reports, an 42-year-old off-duty Baltimore County officer was killed in late October when his cycle nearly collided with a car about two miles from the Parkville Precinct station. Officer Jeffrey Neral, a 17-year member of the department, was riding to work around 1pm on his 2009 Harley Davidson southbound on Old Harford Road when he approached a 2002 Ford Focus, a police spokesman said.

The car's driver, 26-year-old Pei Kao had just left Loch Raven Presbyterian Church in the 9300 block of Old Harford Road. To avoid a collision, Neral laid down the motorcycle but was subsequently thrown from it and hit the driver's side of Kao’s automobile.

Neral was taken by a county Fire Department ambulance to Good Samaritan Hospital, where doctors tried to save him. Unfortunately, he died shortly thereafter. The article did not say whether or not the officer suffered any type of brain trauma, however the police report showed that Neral had been wearing his helmet. Kao was not injured in the accident.

According to news reports, this was the second fatal accident involving a county police officer in a little more than month. On September 24, 32-year-old Detective Jason Simons of the Towson Precinct died following a crash on Route 88 near the village of Cooperstown.

Baltimore County officer dies after motorcycle accident, BaltimoreSun.com, October 26, 2009

Motorcycle riding season is drawing to a close for the most part, but accidents are still quite common. As Maryland personal injury lawyers, Lebowitz & Mzhen LLC provide aggressive representation to motorcycle accident victims and their families. We understand the pain that relatives experience at the loss of a loved one. Sadly, fatal bike crashes are not uncommon in Baltimore, D.C. or any of the cites and towns throughout our state.

Toward the end of October, a Carroll County resident died when his motorcycle hit an oncoming passenger car head-on at a high rate of speed in Westminster. In such cases, the survivability of the rider is quite low. According to news reports, Cpl. Mario DeVivio was heading northbound on Route 97 in an unmarked police patrol vehicle when a motorcycle pulled out in front of him.

Edward Nicholas Dill was riding a 2004 Yamaha when Officer DeVivio signaled him to pull over. Instead, the 28-year-old allegedly fled, accelerating away from the police car and disappeared from the view.

According to police reports, Dill traveled about a quarter-mile before crossing the center line in a curve and striking an oncoming Ford Fusion. The force of the impact threw the motorcyclist more than 20 yards from the site of the collision. Emergency personnel arriving at the scene treated and transported the rider by state police medevac Maryland Shock Trauma Center. Unfortunately, doctors could not save the man, who died about four hours after the collision.

According to news reports, an investigation at the scene revealed that the motorcycle had been reported stolen by the Penn Township (PA) Police Department a little more than one month earlier on September 17.

Cyclist dies after head-on collision with a car in Carroll, BaltimoreSun.com, October 20, 2009